Page 3 of 5
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Page 3 of 5 |
| Horses where not used in Angola in the earlier days of
colonization, probably because of the harsh conditions and diseases. Oxen called boi
cavalo where the preferred mean of transportation for long distances. Rita would
normally traveled to Bela Vista on a tipoia, a sort of a litter carried by two
men. Tipoias were very popular means of transportation in the earlier years of
the colonization. In those days hospitals and doctors were only available in the main centers and the medical resources very basic. A family would have to be self sufficient. For medicine, Antonio and Rita would use native herbs, kerosene and criolina (sort of Detol). Quinine had not been discovered and malaria was one of the disease that no one could escape in Africa. Another terrible disease called "black water", now known as bilargiose. Bilargiose was caused by a snail living in the rivers, mainly the smaller rivers and creeks. Once this disease was declared very few people would survive. |
My mother preparing a meal of spit roasted of Nunce -Southern reedbuck (redunca arundinum) |
Antonio and Rita, 3 sons 2 daughters and respective in-laws and grand children |
| Chimbondo was good for the Costa's and the crops were plentiful.
With such fertile land and mild climate all year round, two crops per year were possible,
specially when they understood the weather. The area harvested grew and Antonio and his family started enjoying a better and more prosperous life. Few years later Antonio and Rita decided to return to Lubango to see the family. They traveled on a carroça, a four wheel oxen drawn cart. During the journey they faced the same difficulties as they experienced before, although this time they already knew the way and more or less anticipated most of the obstacles. |
